KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has launched the BMW M2 Coupé (F87) – basically an ode to the BMW 2002 turbo, with a potent 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine.

The M2, with only a few undisclosed units available in the country, only comes in Long Beach Blue Metallic and is currently priced on-the-road with GST without insurance at RM498,800.

Weighing in at 1,520kg (kerb), the M2 coupe has a wheelbase of 2,693mm and measures 4,468mm-long, 1,854mm-wide and 1,410mm-tall and beneath its sheet metal dwells components from it big brothers – the venerable M3 and M4 coupe.

Under the hood lies a turbocharged 3.0-litre (2,979cc) inline six-cylinder engine sending 370hp at 6,500rpm and 465Nm (500Nm overboost) of torque from 1,400 to 5,560rpm to the rear wheels via a seven-speed M-double clutch transmission (DCT) with Drivelogic and integrated Launch Control function.

Furthermore, the transmission also comes with stability clutch control, creep on demand function as well as a “smokey burnout” function, while three Driving Experience Control modes of Comfort, Sport and Sport+ are available at the push of a button.

With the DCT, the M2 takes 4.3 seconds to reach 100kph and tops out at an electronically limited speed of 250kph – although the M instrument cluster’s speedometer goes all the way up to 300kph and the tachometer to 8,000rpm.

For the time being, the car only comes with a DCT, but if preferred, a six-speed manual can be order.

The M2’s potency is further indicated by a pair of 93mm-diameter twin-tail pipes that make up the sports exhaust system with electronic flap control.

It rides on the combined efforts of the lightweight aluminium sports suspension from the M3 and M4, while the 19-inch aluminium forged wheels with 245/35 (front) and 265/35 (rear) Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres take on grip duties.

To further improve traction, the M2 also receives an electronically controlled Active M Differential, which helps to optimise traction and directional stability, but to increase the level of driver engagement is the car’s dynamic stability control system’s M Dynamic Mode that allows for more wheel slippage.

Stopping power is handled by a set of four-piston (front) two-piston (rear) callipers in blue that bite down on 380mm (front) 370mm (rear) grey-cast iron cross-drilled disc brakes that make up the M compound brakes.

The confines of the cabin are accented in leather, Alcantara and open-pored carbon surfaces and receive leather clad sports seats with adjustable side-bolsters, M footrest and knee support on the centre console, an M Sports steering wheel and a M gearshift lever.

Although powerful, the M2 also comes equipped with the BMW EfficientDynamics package that includes brake energy recuperation, an electromechanical power steering (M Servotronic steering), automatic start/stop function, intelligent lightweight design, situation-specific control of auxiliary systems, volume flow-controlled oil pump and a rear differential with optimised warm-up times.

Other equipments include BMW ConnectedDrive apps that comprises of the GoPro app, M Laptimer app, Navigation System Professional, concierge services and intelligent emergency call (using the built-in SIM card) to help improve emergency response times.

A manual emergency call function is also available and allows rapid help to be summoned for other road users in emergency situations.

“The New BMW M2 Coupé will once again reinforce the fact that premium performance and dynamic vehicles in Malaysia can only be measured by one letter – M– the Most Powerful Letter in the World,” said BMW Group Malaysia head of sales Raymond Tan.

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